What to Expect During an MHA Degree Program
An MHA degree program is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage and lead healthcare organizations. According to Dr. Dania Baba, one of UMass Global’s MHA professors, “Based on my experience after teaching so many classes, there are different levels of students that join this program. Students who are starting their career in healthcare and then you have managers who would like to move up in the organization or physicians with high clinical experience who want to move into administration.” This showcases the adaptability of MHA programs to help students of a variety of backgrounds.
The curriculum typically includes a blend of healthcare-specific courses and business management principles. Students can expect to study subjects like healthcare law and ethics, strategic planning, safety and quality improvement in healthcare, and organizational research.
Students will also develop their soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking. These are vital for effective healthcare administrators. The program is often delivered in a flexible online format, allowing working professionals to balance their studies with their work schedules.
Common MHA Concentrations
Some MHA degree programs offer a range of concentrations, allowing students to specialize in a specific area of healthcare administration. Baba states, “We meet you where you are. Whatever discipline you are interested in, we make it happen. All of us who teach these courses have a lot of experience in the field. We provide a lot of examples based on what’s in the field and focus on how we can help students based on where they’re working.” This is the beauty of MHA degrees — they can be extremely customizable. These specializations enable students to gain in-depth knowledge and skills in their chosen area, increasing their marketability in the job market. Below are few examples of specializations but not limited to:
- Business Administration: The MHA business administration concentration equips students with a strong foundation in general business principles, like finance and operations, and how they apply to the healthcare industry.
- Marketing: An MHA marketing concentration equips students with skills like consumer behavior, market research, strategic planning, and digital advertising to implement effective marketing strategies in the healthcare setting.
- Human Resources: An MHA human resources concentration prepares students to manage the human capital within healthcare organizations effectively. This includes topics such as, compensation and benefits, labor relations, staff shortages, and organizational development.
- Information Technology: A healthcare IT concentration is highly relevant in the current digital age with increasing technology use and automation. This specialization encompasses crucial areas that play a significant role in modern healthcare systems including health informatics, health information systems, AI applications in healthcare, digital health, and data management.
Choosing Between an MHA Degree vs MBA with a Healthcare Administration Emphasis
When you're considering an advanced degree in healthcare administration, the choice between an MHA degree and an MBA with a healthcare administration emphasis can be pivotal for your career trajectory. An MHA degree is highly specialized, preparing you to tackle healthcare-specific challenges, such as managing population health and navigating healthcare policies.
On the other hand, an MBA with a healthcare emphasis offers a broader business education, applicable across various industries, including healthcare, with a focus on business revenue and management. One advantage of pursuing an MHA over an MBA is the specialized focus on healthcare administration. This allows MHA graduates to develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges and dynamics within the healthcare industry including policy, regulations, ethics, and more.
Furthermore, an MHA program typically incorporates practical experiences within healthcare organizations, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and build valuable industry connections. Most MHA students are also already working in the healthcare field, providing quality networking opportunities.
MHA vs MBA Salary
When comparing MHA and MBA salaries, it is important to consider the specific roles and industries. While MBA graduates may have higher earning potential in the for-profit sector, MHA graduates often find lucrative opportunities in healthcare organizations, where their specialized knowledge and skills are highly valued. There are many high-paying healthcare administration roles that often require an MHA to be considered. With the average salaries of these positions in 2023 ranging from $83,000 to $107,000.
Choosing Between an MHA Degree vs MPA with a Healthcare Administration Emphasis
When you're considering advancing your career in the healthcare field, an MPA with a Healthcare Administration is an option, but it’s important to compare the degree option with an MHA. An MPA offers a broader scope of knowledge related to public policy and administrative issues beyond healthcare, suitable for those seeking versatility in public service roles. However, MPA’s can limit your job opportunities in the healthcare industry as many healthcare leadership roles require an MHA.
Additionally, an MHA provides you with versatile skills across industries due to the various areas of interest. If you ever choose to move away from the public and healthcare sectors, you will be able to apply for business-related roles due to relevant coursework in operations, finance, and marketing.
MHA vs MPA Salary
While MPA graduates may have higher earning potential in government or nonprofit sectors, MHA graduates often command competitive salaries in healthcare organizations due to their extensive healthcare industry knowledge. The average salary of a Public Health Administrator in 2024 is only $59,723 whereas the average healthcare administrator salary in 2024 is $78,274. Factors such as experience, location, and demand for healthcare administrators also play a significant role in determining salary potential for both degrees.
Transition into Healthcare Administration with UMass Global
If you're currently working in a clinical healthcare setting but aspire to take on a leadership role, an MHA degree is necessary for many advanced roles and
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